Still Analog in a Digital World

We’re starting a feature here called Way Back Wednesday on Analog. We’ll go back and look at an older comic (bet it will be Justice League a lot) or at compilations. First up is the DC Showcase Presents Batgirl TP Vol 1. Why this one? Well, we just plain love Barbara Gordon. Can’t live with out her. So Mr Peobody and his boy Sherman have the WABAC machine warmed up, let’s hop in. But first we'll say SPOILER, because we talk about what happens in this Showcase.

Showcase Batgirl is 547 pages of Batgirl goodness. It begins with her first appearance in the classic Detective Comics 359, from January 1967. You probably know this one, but we will recap a little if you don’t. We are presented with Barbara Gordon, commissioner Gordon’s daughter. She’s at her job as a librarian (there’s an analog job, maybe that’s why we love her).

Barbara is making a costume for the Policeman’s Masquerade Ball.  She describes herself as “a Plain Jane - a colorless female brain” Wow, kind of tough on yourself Babs. But she’s got a plan to wow the boys and her dad in the form of a Batgirl costume.

On the way to the party she sees Bruce Wayne getting attacked by one of Batman’s lamer villains, Killer Moth. She jumps to his defense and fights off the villain and a legend is born. She realizes her life is “humdrum” (her words), and that she is smart enough to catch crooks and sets out to do it..

Her journey continues on from there. Stories that contain lame plot devices such a Batman getting swamp fever(?) and Catwoman deciding that she wants to reform. Why? Because she wants a date with Batman. Selina Kyle has come a long way, too.

You’ll have to put up with some laugh out loud phrases. Like after a failure, Barbara says “I ought to hang up my uniform - quit the crook catching business - leave to the experts.” (that being the men, of course). Or this one uttered by Selina “Do I go back to my career as Catwoman or are you going to say the magic words Marry me -- and make me the happiest girl in the world?” Because marriage leads to happiness, right ladies? Things sure are different aren’t they?

Barbara often reminds us she’s got a photographic memory. She also spends way too much time, showing how easy it is for her to switch costumes to Batgirl. But that highlights Carmine Infantino's art which is great even in black and white. It makes one wonder if young George Lucas or one of his artists got an idea about another gutsy broad while reading.

Barbara Gordon has come a long way baby, and we are glad. It a great snapshot of the times and a look at where she came from. It’s a bit pricey at $20 but try to put to together all these issues that cheap. This is a must for this Barbara Gordon fan. Check out the next article to see if Analog thinks she’s in a good place right now.